Church signs property over to state

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A church in West Lafayette has been forced to sign over its property to the state because of the U.S. 231 relocation project.

The Bethel Christian Life Center has known about the U.S. 231 relocation plan since 2002. The congregation just signed over its property to the state.

The congregation is trying to take matters in stride. They purchased ground a mile away to build their new church.

"We call this our great adventure," explained Senior Pastor Ted Brust. "We knew this would require a lot from us but we felt in the long run, God would take care of us, that he would provide. And He has. He has given us a good piece of property to build on and we hope sometime this winter or spring this next year we'll start building."

The U.S. 231 relocation plan would have the southbound lane running right through the sanctuary. Church members say they are fine with the plan.

"We just made a decision on the first day to just accept this as an opportunity for us. To just see where we are going and our vision and to reshape our ministry if we needed to," said Youth Pastor Jim Walsh. "So we just said, 'Let's capitalize on it and move with it.'"

The project will start from State Street near the Purdue Airport and connect with McCormick Road, north of Lindberg road. The new highway will then connect with U.S. 52.

INDOT spokesperson Debbie Calder says the construction is projected to be done by November 2012.

"The U.S. 231 bypass project is scheduled to go to leading in October of next year," said Calder. "So they can submit bids then. The actual construction, the majority of it will be in the 2011 and 2012 construction season. We are anticipating this will take two full years of construction."

A public meeting is set for Tuesday October 20 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Bethel Christian Life Center on U.S. 52 in West Lafayette. At this time the state will show plans for the new highway near the Purdue Airport to North U.S. 52.